Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi said the Starlink internet service will only operate in Israel and Gaza with his ministry’s approval. Starlink internet Gaza 

Israel on Monday said it had reached an understanding with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk that his company SpaceX would not activate ‘Starlink’ satellite internet services in Gaza without its approval. Elon Musk, who has been accused of amplifying anti-Jewish hatred on his X social media platform, is visiting Israel.

Israel’s Communications Minister, Shlomo Karhi, posted on X that Starlink satellite units would only operate in Israel and the Gaza Strip with his ministry’s approval.

Elon Musk, I congratulate you for reaching a principle understanding with the Ministry of Communications under my leadership.

As a result of this significant agreement, Starlink satellite units can only be operated in Israel with the approval of the Israeli Ministry of…

— ????????שלמה קרעי – Shlomo Karhi (@shlomo_karhi) November 27, 2023

The deal, which remains unconfirmed by Musk or Starlink, would fulfill the billionaire’s offer to provide internet to “internationally recognized aid organizations” in Gaza after Israel cut off communications and internet connectivity in the region as it bombarded the territory in response to the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas.

Representatives for Starlink and Israel’s Ministry of Communications did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. Starlink internet Gaza 

Musk initially faced harsh criticism from Israel for his offer to provide internet connectivity over Gaza, with Karhi saying at the time that Hamas would use the connection for terrorist activities and that “Israel will use all means at its disposal to fight” the offer.

The offer to provide Starlink over Gaza, as well as the backlash from Israel, was followed closely by fierce opposition to comments Musk made on X, which many said were antisemitic.

Musk responded to a post on the platform that said Jewish people are pushing “hatred against whites” and criticized the political ideology of “Western Jewish populations.”

The Communications Minister of Israel on Monday called the understanding between him and Musk “vital,” as it was for everyone who desired a “better world, free of evil and free of anti-Semitism, for our children’s sake”.

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